Saturday, 7 January 2017

Pope: 'Fostering vocations requires passion and gratitude'

Pope: 'Fostering vocations requires passion and gratitude'

(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis met on Thursday with participants in a Conference
organized by the national Office for Pastoral Care for Vocations of the
Italian Episcopal Conference.The theme of the conference is “Arise, go forth, and fear not.

Vocations and sanctity: I am on a mission.”

Listen to Devin Watkins’ report:During the encounter, Pope Francis set aside his prepared remarks and
spoke off-the-cuff to the 800 seminarians and religious men and women
present.

Recalling the conference’s theme, the Holy Father asked himself
aloud, “How many young people, boys and girls, today hear in their heart
that ‘Arise’, and how many – priests, consecrated men and women – close
the door? And they wind up frustrated.”

To remedy this situation, the Pope offered several thoughts on ways to increase vocations to religious life and the priesthood.

“The doors are opened through prayer, though good will, through
risk,” he said. “Jesus told us that the first way to have vocations is
prayer, but not all are convinced of this.”Rather, he went on, “Pray with the heart, with your life, with everything.”

Speaking about the role of bishops in vocations, the Holy Father said
their “first task is prayer; the second is to proclaim the Gospel”.

The third recommendation he offered was to “Open the doors so that [young people] may enter our churches.”

“To receive vocations, hospitality is key”, the Pope continued, it is
necessary to be particularly devoted to listening, to be able to “waste
time” in order to hear and understand the questions and desires of
young people and to practice the “apostolate of the ear”.

The fourth and final recommendation Pope Francis made regarded the
witness of the messenger. “May they see you live what you preach, that
which brought you to become priests, sisters, and lay people who work
with strength in the House of the Lord.”